Health & Fitness
The KDMF 11th annual statewide writing contest topic-The Dangerous Consequences of Distracted Driving
Passionate, dramatic and riveting are just some of the words used to describe the works of best selling author, Casey Sherman. The Katie DeCubellis Memorial Foundation is proud to announce Sherman as the celebrity judge for their 2014 annual writing contest.
Sherman is an award winning journalist, theatre producer and best selling author of six books including: The Finest Hours (now in development at Walt Disney Studios), A Rose for Mary: The Hunt for the Real Boston Strangler, Black Irish, Black Dragon and the upcoming Animal: The Bloody Rise and Fall of the Mob's Most Feared Assassin and his latest best seller, Bad Blood (Now in development as a major motion picture).
"We are pleased and honored that an acclaimed author such as Casey Sherman will be judging our 2014 writing contest" states KDMF President Joel Chase. "Each year the contest has grown, helping to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and distracted driving. Students tell us they are thrilled that a best-selling author is reading their work and picking the top winners."
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“It’s truly an honor to work with such an important foundation and all the young people taking part in this writing contest,” Sherman said. “Each student is already a winner in my book for simply having the courage to share their writing with others. I look forward to meeting every one of them through their words.”
“After our daughter Katie died at the hands of a drunken driver, we wanted to find a way to carry on her legacy and keep her spirit alive,” says Meg DeCubellis. “As the years progressed we were fortunate enough to receive an outpouring of support and the writing contest is one way for us to give back to others and also raise awareness on important topics.”
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The KDMF is also proud to announce that for the second year AAA Southern New England has joined forces with KDMF as their corporate sponsor.
For the past ten years, KDMF has awarded money and prizes to students who placed in the annual writing contest. This year’s topic is about the dangerous consequences of distracted driving. Students are asked to create or recount a story that depicts the dangerous consequences of texting or talking on a cell phone while driving.
In January the KDMF will send out announcements to every high school and post on their social media the start of the contest. The deadline for entries is March 28, 2014. A ceremony will be held Monday, May 19th at 7pm at the Warwick Mall to announce this year’s winners. Television reporter/WPRO radio anchor and children’s book author Laura Clarizio will emcee the event.
The KDMF and AAA Southern New England will present monetary awards to the three top winners and those receiving Honorable Mention. First Place winner receives $1,000. Additionally, professionally created posters with the winners’ names and writing entries will remain on display at the mall during the week following the ceremony. For more information about the contest and annual scholarships that the KDMF awards visit the Foundation’s website at www.kdmf.org. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.